New to FAWSL 2 it took Sheffield FC Ladies a while to find their feet in the league after a long lay off following promotion via the 1st ever Play-off match to earn their place in the Women's Super League. A single point claimed in their opening 5 league games with 4 defeats and a draw far from the start they wanted after back to back FAWPL Northern Division titles. Have found their form in the FAWSL's Continental Tyres Cup competition winning in the Preliminary and 1st Rounds to reach the quarter finals. The 1st Round win at home to FAWSL 2 promotion chasers Bristol City Ladies has seen the club turn it's league form around and have now won their last 3 league games in a row to climb up the table to 7th spot with 10 points on the board from 8 games played. Have added to their squad during the FAWSL mid-season break bringing in Sophie Jones from Blackburn Rovers Ladies along with Olivia Dixon and Kirsty Hanson both joining having been with Liverpool Ladies Development squad.
Opponents Millwall Lionesses travel up to the Home of Football Stadium on the back of 2 successive league defeats, in what is shaping up to be another difficult season. Finished 2nd bottom in FAWSL 2 in 2015 and right now that is where they find themselves in the table despite a promising start to their league campaign an opening day victory followed by 2 draws have picked up just 2 points from 18 available since. A new manager in charge for the start of the 3rd season in a row, Rebecca Sawiuk joining at the start of the season. Sawiuk has since left the club to pursue other career opportunities, Lauren Phillips steps up to take interim charge of the 1st team supported by development team manager Andy Hill.
Sawiuk brought in several new faces at the start of the season with some departing the club to alot of new faces to gt used to each others play. Charlotte Gurr having helped Brighton & Hove Albion WFC to the FAWPL Southern Division title and experienced FAWSL midfielder Bonnie Horwood have both joined the club recently.
Been a hot sunny week and that continues into the weekend a few dark clouds above a few light spots of rain but nothing to threaten the match. The pitch well used dry and a little bobbly in places.
Sheffield FC Ladies starting XI - Juliana Draycott, Danielle Cox, Emma Lipman, Billie Murphy, Carla Ward (C), Hannah Dale, Emma Johnson, Sherry McCue, Ellie Gilliatt, Jodie Michalska & Chelsea Flanagan.
subs - Claire Wallhead, Sarah Jackson, Sophie Jones, Rhema Lord-Mears, Olivia Wild, Chloe Dixon & Kenedy Owen
Millwall Lionesses starting XI - Sarah Quantrill, Billie Brooks, Leanne Cowan, Jordan Butler, Leighanne Robe, Bonnie Horwood, Ella Rutherford, Lilli Maple, Ashlee Hincks (C), Megan Wynne & Rinsola Babajide.
subs - Grace Fisk, Leigh Nicol, Georgina Giddings, Amber Gaylor, Charlotte Gurr & Lucy Loomes.
It's Sheffield to get us under way in the 1st half wearing red shirts, black shorts and socks with Millwall lined up opposite wearing navy coloured shirts with white sleeves and collar, white shorts and socks. The ball is played long up to Sheffield's attackers early Chelsea Flanagan back to goal outside the box jumps and heads the ball down to Jodie Michalska on the right, gives it back to Flanagan her cross lifted into the area is held by Millwall's goalkeeper, Sarah Quantrill.
The ball is won back by Sheffield as Millwall try to build an attack, a rapid counter move the ball fed out to the right the cross finds Flanagan just inside the area right of goal goes to shoot scuffs it not getting a firm connection with the ball the shot rolls harmlessly into Quantrill's gloves. A bright start from the home side mostly down the right Michalska powering her way up the wing with the ball turns her cross wide over the goal.
Little opportunity for Millwall to make head way into the Sheffield half, win a free kick on half way. Centre back Leighanne Robe on the ball sends it high towards the edge of the area Sheffield captain, Carla Ward gets up to head the threat clear, a chance to break the ball out on the left with Ellie Gilliatt. Taken quickly, Gilliatt gets clear on the left sends the cross into the area long for Michalska, back inside for Flanagan, the flag is raised for offside.
A throw inside the Sheffield half on the left see's Millwall captain, Ashlee Hincks play the ball down the line for Rinsola Babajide, she wins her side a corner kick. The set piece is played up to the face of the area, Sheffield clear it, Millwall close the ball down quickly regain possession the pass finding Ella Rutherford making her 1st start for the club a Centre of Excellence graduate, out on the right her cross/shot is collected by Sheffield goalkeeper, Juliana Draycott.
Billie Brooks with the sliding challenge concedes the throw high on the left to stop a surging run up the wing by Gilliatt. Emma Johnson gets forwards to receive the ball from the throw closing in on the by line left of goal inside the box squares her cross along the six yard box picking out Hannah Dale central, her shot is saved at point blank range the ball pushed out to the top of the area Flanagan arriving latches onto it sees her attempt blocked by the Millwall defence coming out to charge the ball down, the rebound is met by Michalska who puts the ball over and out of play for the goal kick.
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| Millwall Lionesses, Lilli Maple with Sheffield FC Ladies, Emma Johnson |
Two competitive midfield's on show today some robust challenges coming in, Dale is fouled by Bonnie Horwood on the left half way inside the Millwall half, Ward over set-piece sends a good ball into the box out towards the far post to be attacked, Emma Lipman leaps getting her had to the ball puts it over the crossbar. A good ball from Millwall's Robe bringing the ball to the halfway line picks out Leanne Cowan pushing forwards on the left side, on for Megan Wynne ahead of her wins her side a corner. A good delivery into the box Sheffield have plenty back to defend and clear it.
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| Is shaping up to be a competitive battle between the sides |
GOAL! Penalty! A chance for Millwall to open the scoring as out of nothing Rutherford is brought down just inside the area. The referee points to the spot, it's Hincks to take it. Placing the ball on the spot, scores sending Draycott the wrong way as she buries the ball into the back of the net 1-0.
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| Millwall Lionesses captain, Ashlee Hincks gives her side the lead from the penalty spot |
Against the run of play early on with Sheffield strong in the opening 20 minutes they find themselves a goal down. Coming forwards with the ball Dale 25 yards out left of the area sends a ball into the box, is taken out by Rutherford as she comes sliding in with a rash challenge giving away a free kick in a dangerous position and gets booked in the process. Ward over the set-piece gets it around the 2 player wall low into the area, Millwall have the players back and launch it clear.
Gilliatt is very nearly put through clear on goal as Sheffield get the ball up to her quickly opening up Millwall, Lipman into Flanagan in the centre plays the pass on for Gilliatt bursting clear as she comes inside, central makes a run for the box, it's Robe who gets back on her recovering well to close her down on the edge of the area tackling and taking the ball away from her.
Gilliatt is left on the floor inside the Millwall penalty area as she is very nearly put through on goal again the ball played forwards by Danielle Cox coming up the right into the area for Gilliatt to go after, brave goalkeeping from Quantrill as she comes sliding in to get hold of the ball ball, Gilliatt goes over her landing hard but is okay to continue after treatment.
Has taken Millwall a little time to get themselves on the ball look a side that aren't used to playing together with new faces on the pitch the ball is being won well enough but the passing after a little aimless giving it away has allowed Sheffield the momentum. Babajide holding the ball up well on the left side plays the pass inside to Rutherford who sees her shot charged down 25 yards from goal. Robe steps out of the defence in stop Johnson as the Sheffield midfielder looks to attack through the middle.
Horwood breaks forwards from midfield to get into the Sheffield box left of goal as Hincks takes control of the ball wide left, lifts the ball into the area picking her out, looks for the glancing header to turn the ball in towards goal, not enough as the attempt is sent wide. The competitiveness in midfield is in danger of boiling over no one's being given a second on the ball and the referee has a word with a few to calm thing's down. Babajide one of those now over on the right gets a talking too from the referee for bringing down Gilliatt inside her half.
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| Bonnie Horwood looks to get to the ball ahead of Sheffield's Hannah Dale |
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| Millwall Lionesses, Rinsola Babajide back to defend against Sheffield FC Ladies, Ellie Gilliatt |
GOAL! Pressing hard late in the 1st half looking for the equaliser, Sheffield find it right on the stroke of half-time winning the ball back from a Millwall free kick in a central position the ball is played up into Flanagan's feet, is pushed out wide to the right as she turns and looks to attack, squares the ball into the area with both Lipman and Michalska taking up central attacking positions runs to Lipman who touches it into Michalska to strike putting her foot through the ball, Quantrill gets down to make the blocking save the rebound is straight at Lipman who sends the ball back in over the grounded keeper and scores 1-1.
Half-time Sheffield FC Ladies 1-1 Millwall Lionesses
Hincks gets ahead of everyone on the right from a quickly taken throw lifts the ball up into the Sheffield area, Cox has to hook the ball clear with Rutherford threatening to steal in behind her. Getting the ball up the other end of the pitch Sheffield's McCue darts in to take the ball from the Millwall defence 20 yards out lays the short pass into Johnson to hit goalwards, on target places the shot directly at Quantrill who gathers the ball into her body.
Powerful run on the ball from Babajide on the right brings her side a corner. A good ball swept into the centre of the six yard box, Draycott gets up above everyone to lay claim to the ball. The game continues to flow from one end of the pitch to the other Lipman getting forwards on the left has Gilliatt ahead of her exchanging passes the ball is sent on the diagonal into the box, with Cox the furthest player forwards unmarked far side in the six yard box looks to stab the ball back across goal with the outside of her boot, doesn't get it past Quantrill coming across to scoop it up into her gloves.
Rutherford getting the ball from Babajide as she latches onto a loose kick out from Draycott tries her luck from distance hoping to catch the keeper off her line, doesn't get enough on the ball Draycott can get across and lay claim to the ball. Sheffield win themselves a corner kick however play is stopped with Cox hurt off the ball. A change is made by both sides on 63 minutes Cox can't continue and coming off, Sophie Jones comes on to make her debut for the club the change sees Lipman move across to right back, with Gilliatt dropping in to left back Jones attacking down the left. Rutherford comes off for Millwall to be replaced by Amber Gaylor.
The corner played in from the right goes long falling for Ward she sees her shot blocked, so too McCue latching onto the rebound inside the box, Millwall clear it and the break is on Cowan away on the left, plays the ball inside to Horwood who let's fly from 30 plus yards the attempt blocked by Sheffield is retrieved by Gaylor driving on with the ball her attempt at goal is also blocked.
A long range pass from the back by Sheffield picks out Flanagan inside the Millwall box to the right, holds the ball up well with Johnson rushing forwards to support getting the ball sends the cross long to the far post Jones racing in gets up to head the ball but can't keep it down, flies out for a goal kick.
The scores all square as the players head to the dressing rooms for half-time. A competitive match so far the ball hotly contested in midfield, Sheffield have been the dominant side for much of the 1st half but despite that found themselves going a goal down. Millwall have battled hard, defended well on the whole but haven't been able to retain possession of the ball misplaced passes giving the advantage to Sheffield all to often but at 1-1 have something to build on 2nd half. Sheffield finding space out wide haven't put in the telling final ball enough.
No changes at half-time from either side, Millwall get the 2nd half underway. Sheffield get hold of the ball play it long with Michalska moving clear on the right, Robe coming across to defend puts the ball out for a corner kick. The ball from the right is sent long into the box, headed down at the far post dropping amongst bodies inside the six yard box Millwall scramble it away. McCue regains possession of the ball coming in from the left her initial effort is blocked, gets a 2nd bite blazes the ball wide of goal from outside the box.
Cox releases Johnson down the right for Sheffield driving forwards with the ball whips the ball across the Millwall six yard box with Gilliatt arriving on the far side to meet the ball sends her shot into the side netting. Hincks with the ball on the right for Millwall gets a throw with support from Wynne a corner is won, the ball swung in near post is cleared by Sheffield. An open game at the start of the 2nd half both sides thinking they can score pushing players forwards. Play over on the left as Sheffield attack the strike comes in from distance a lob by Michalska looking for the top corner over Quantrill won't dip in time just over.
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| Sheffield FC Ladies captain, Carla Ward |
Hincks gets ahead of everyone on the right from a quickly taken throw lifts the ball up into the Sheffield area, Cox has to hook the ball clear with Rutherford threatening to steal in behind her. Getting the ball up the other end of the pitch Sheffield's McCue darts in to take the ball from the Millwall defence 20 yards out lays the short pass into Johnson to hit goalwards, on target places the shot directly at Quantrill who gathers the ball into her body.
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| Sheffield FC Ladies, Sherry McCue |
Powerful run on the ball from Babajide on the right brings her side a corner. A good ball swept into the centre of the six yard box, Draycott gets up above everyone to lay claim to the ball. The game continues to flow from one end of the pitch to the other Lipman getting forwards on the left has Gilliatt ahead of her exchanging passes the ball is sent on the diagonal into the box, with Cox the furthest player forwards unmarked far side in the six yard box looks to stab the ball back across goal with the outside of her boot, doesn't get it past Quantrill coming across to scoop it up into her gloves.
Rutherford getting the ball from Babajide as she latches onto a loose kick out from Draycott tries her luck from distance hoping to catch the keeper off her line, doesn't get enough on the ball Draycott can get across and lay claim to the ball. Sheffield win themselves a corner kick however play is stopped with Cox hurt off the ball. A change is made by both sides on 63 minutes Cox can't continue and coming off, Sophie Jones comes on to make her debut for the club the change sees Lipman move across to right back, with Gilliatt dropping in to left back Jones attacking down the left. Rutherford comes off for Millwall to be replaced by Amber Gaylor.
The corner played in from the right goes long falling for Ward she sees her shot blocked, so too McCue latching onto the rebound inside the box, Millwall clear it and the break is on Cowan away on the left, plays the ball inside to Horwood who let's fly from 30 plus yards the attempt blocked by Sheffield is retrieved by Gaylor driving on with the ball her attempt at goal is also blocked.
A long range pass from the back by Sheffield picks out Flanagan inside the Millwall box to the right, holds the ball up well with Johnson rushing forwards to support getting the ball sends the cross long to the far post Jones racing in gets up to head the ball but can't keep it down, flies out for a goal kick.
GOAL! 70 minutes on the clock and Sheffield retake the lead, positive build up play as they press the ball inside the Millwall half in front of their are, Michalska then Johnson as players are drifting forwards to support on of those is Lipman outside the box right of goal in the perfect position as McCue nips in to win the ball comes to Lipman who sends in a strike burying it into the top corner of the net to score her 2nd of the match 2-1.
Millwall respond with a 2nd substitution bringing on Charlotte Gurr in place of Lilli Maple. Up the tempo push forwards looking for a quick reply. The passes rushed Sheffield are able to regroup and win the ball back. A 3rd change for the visitors with Lucy Loomes coming on to join the attack replacing Babajide.
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| Emma Lipman sends the ball into the top corner to score her 2nd goal of the match |
GOAL! Millwall win a corner on the left players rushing to get up into the Sheffield area the corner is taken short by Cowan into Hincks up the line top of the box on the left sends the ball in over everyone towards the far post area, two Millwall players are in behind as the ball clears the keeper and it turned over the line at close range, Charlotte Gurr credited with the goal, Sheffield look to the linesman for a flag it isn't raised Millwall pull it back to 2-2 with a little over 10 minutes left to play.
Sheffield make their 2nd change Chloe Dixon comes on in place of McCue. Millwall have the momentum in the latter stages of the game buoyed by the equaliser push forwards with abandon. Loomes wins Millwall a corner on the left side is delivered deep is cleared, Millwall go after the ball try to put it back in their attempts are charged down. Murphy just about gets her head to the ball to knock the ball back for Draycott to gather on the edge of her box as Gurr threatens to steal in behind her from a great pass from Hincks.
Both sides are giving the ball away as the game moves into the final 5 minutes both think they can win it and are going for it, Dixon for Sheffield whips a great cross into the box for Michalska to attack gets her head to the ball under challenge sends the effort wide across the face of goal. Johnson has the ball rolled into her by Michalska 25 yards out takes on the strike central can only pick out Quantrill who holds onto the ball. Whilst up the other end Loomes seeing the ball into her feet 25 yards out her back to goal turns and hits it goalwards all along the ground rolls through for Draycott to gather. Into injury time and one more chance falls to Millwall the ball drilled into Loomes holding her ground just inside the Sheffield box with the turn and hit from the right drills the effort wide.
The final whistle blows and the points are shared the full time score 2-2. Millwall coming back from a goal down in both halves to take a point out of the game, battled hard throughout the 90 minutes and late on will feel they might have taken all 3. A competitive game, time allowed on the ball at a premium Emma Lipman scoring twice for Sheffield her 1st goals for 3 years, quality strikes too. Had more of the ball and having taken the lead will be disappointed not to have gone on and got the win however their unbeaten run goes on.
Sheffield make their 2nd change Chloe Dixon comes on in place of McCue. Millwall have the momentum in the latter stages of the game buoyed by the equaliser push forwards with abandon. Loomes wins Millwall a corner on the left side is delivered deep is cleared, Millwall go after the ball try to put it back in their attempts are charged down. Murphy just about gets her head to the ball to knock the ball back for Draycott to gather on the edge of her box as Gurr threatens to steal in behind her from a great pass from Hincks.
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| Millwall's Leanne Cowan defends against Sheffield's Emma Johnson |
The final whistle blows and the points are shared the full time score 2-2. Millwall coming back from a goal down in both halves to take a point out of the game, battled hard throughout the 90 minutes and late on will feel they might have taken all 3. A competitive game, time allowed on the ball at a premium Emma Lipman scoring twice for Sheffield her 1st goals for 3 years, quality strikes too. Had more of the ball and having taken the lead will be disappointed not to have gone on and got the win however their unbeaten run goes on.
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